Would you like to help authors 
polish ​their stories?

Q - Who are Beta Readers?

A - Beta Readers are passionate readers who are prepared to
  • read a manuscript in an unpolished form before it has gone through professional editing - noting, as a reader, what works for them and what does not
  • provide honest, respectful feedback
  • return their feedback in a timely fashion

Q - What qualifications would I need?

  • Beta Readers should love to read and have a sincere desire to help writers create better books.
  • Ideally, Beta Readers are avid readers of the book's genre.
  • Beta Readers do NOT need any specific or technical knowledge of writing craft or rules of grammar.
  • Beta Readers should only take on a book if they have time to read and report in a timely manner.
  • Beta Readers should be generous with their thoughtful feedback.​

Q - What kind of feedback do I need to give?

​A - Beta Readers should provide feedback on such issues as:
  • confusing sentences or plot points
  • where your attention wavers
  • whether you find the characters/dialogue believable, likeable, sympathetic, etc.
Authors may provide a list of questions before or after reading their manuscript.

Top 5 Tips for Responding to an author:

1. Be honest –
Be prepared to answer the author's questions clearly but constructively, even if your response is critical or negative. They're asking because they want and need to know.

2. Be thoughtful and kind – 
The Beta Reader's role is to provide constructive criticism without being deliberately or carelessly hurtful. "Your plot is dreadful," or "I thought your main character was absolutely idiotic" can make the author feel hurt or defensive while not telling them, specifically, what you think needs to be changed.

Focus on possible solutions, rather than the problem, such as: "Have you considered ..." "What if the main character ..." or "I like it when the hero ..."
3. Be punctual and considerate by observing deadlines –
While you're doing the author a favor, they're depending on your feedback and probably have deadlines to meet that can't easily be altered. Once you agree to a deadline, keep it, or let the author know as soon as possible if you can't.

4. Be respectful of the author's:
  • Vision -
Your job is to help the author realize their vision for their story. Do your best to work out what type and tone the author is aiming for and shape your comments to support that vision.
  • Autonomy -
The author, of course, will complete the manuscript as they see fit - using your suggestions, or not. Once you've sent in your comments ... to quote a popular song: "Let it go!"
  • Trust - 
As Jordon McCollum so clearly points out in "The Ethics of Beta Reading" - "You have been taken into a position of trust. The ethical beta reader understands that they are reviewing a book in a prepublication format." Beta readers must not share what they've read nor use it in any other format or forum, public or private. Beta readers will not comment publicly, nor review, nor offer opinions regarding this work in progress.
5. And finally, be specific – 
"I really loved it" or "I thought the plot was boring" are not much help to the author.

Author Connie Flynn advises that we avoid "Why did you ...?" comments as "Why" questions tend to put people on the defensive. I've adapted her alternatives:
  • I don't understand _ (whatever it is).
  • This detail seems _ (to slow the pace, to be unnecessary, etc.)
  • The _ (character, setting, etc.) is coming across as _ (feisty, depressing, important, etc). Is that what you intended?
  • Did you want to convey _ (irritation, happiness, whatever)?
  • Wasn't _ (John a blue-eyed man, Sally submissive, etc.) in Chapter _? (used to point out inconsistency)
  • Carol's _ (motivation, goal, etc.) seems to be _. Is that correct?
  • And most important: I really liked _. (ending your feedback with a positive!)

Q - What if . . . ?

  • I want to read and review the finished (ARC) manuscript? - Buy the book or make arrangements with the author.
  • I choose not to finish the piece? - ​Let the author know straight away - as well as where you stopped and why - being as specific as possible without being rude.
  • ​I notice grammar and spelling errors? - Feel free to point them out, but do not be overly concerned as this is unsurprising and a perfectly natural occurrence since the beta reading stage happens before the editing, let alone the proofreading stage. Your focus should be on big picture feedback and/or focusing on what the author has specified.
  • I don't like a scene or a character? -  You can comment on it, but it is not your job to rewrite. And this is not the place to air your pet peeves.
If you think this sounds like something you are able and happy to do, please contact me. I'll send you a Google Form on which you can list and describe your comfort levels, preferred genres, and interests so that we can match you with stories that work for you.
“Kate exceeded my expectations while helping me with my first historical novel. She has a gift for explaining her edits clearly and succinctly with tact and sensitivity. I found her well-organized, and she communicates promptly.” 
 
- S.D. Speer, aspiring author